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High Altitude Illness:Prevention & Treatment
Lori Weichenthal, MD, FACEP
Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
UCSF-Fresno
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The Seven Summits
Tanzania
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Climbing Routes
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Risk Category Description
Low -No history & ascending to < 2800 m
-Taking > 2 days to arrive at 2500 m with subsequent increase of sleeping elevation of < 500 m/d
Moderate -Prior history of AMS and ascending to 2500 m in one day
-No history of AMS and ascending to > 2800 m in 1 day
-Ascending > 500 m/d above 3000 m
High -History of AMS and ascending to > 2800 m in one day
-Prior History of HAPE or HACE
-Ascending to > 3500 m in one day &ascending > 500 m/d above 3500 m
-Very rapid ascents
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Medication Indication Route Dosage
Acetazolamide AMS, HACE preventionAMS TX
Oral
Oral
125 mg BID2.5 mg/kg250 mg BID
Dexamethasone AMS, HACEpreventionAMS, HACE TX
Oral
Oral, IM, IV
2 mg q 6/ 4 mg q124-8 mg q 6
Nifedipine HAPE preventionHAPE TX
Oral
Oral
30 mg SR q 12
30 mg SR q 12
B2 Agonist HAPETX/Prevention
Inhaled 2-4 puffs BID
Ibuprofen AMS prevention Oral 600 mg TID
Recommended Drug Dosages